Poly Jet

Connex500 allows you to produce the most accurate prototype parts that are fully functional in a single material, several digitally blended materials or parts with an overmolding. This provides you the ability to create a prototype part that will more closely resemble your production part than any other 3D printing process.

The Connex500™ is the first 3D printing system that jets multiple model materials simultaneously. It offers the completely unique ability to print parts and assemblies made of multiple model materials, with different mechanical or physical properties, all in a single build. Taking the revolution even further, the Connex500™ can also fabricate Digital Materials™ on the fly, enabling users to create composite materials that have preset combinations of mechanical properties. Learn more about PolyJet materials: Digital, ABS, High-temp, Poypropolyne Like and Rubber Like.

Stereolithography (SLA)

Utilizing the SLA technology, we can rapidly manufacture parts of different geometries at the same time. This technology is designed to produce highly accurate prototypes, patterns or end-use parts of versatile sizes and applications.

The SLA machine uses photo reactive liquid polymer that is cured with a laser to create the prototype from a computer model. The SLA system builds parts with a smooth surface finish, excellent optical clarity, high accuracy, and thin, straight vertical walls. It’s ideal for a myriad of solid imaging applications, from rapid modeling and prototyping, to injection molding and investment casting. Learn more about SLA materials: Accura 225, Accura Extreme, Accura 48HTR, Accura 50 and Accura 40.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

SLS technology is great for applications that require functional testing. These prototypes are durable, rugged and able to withstand the harshest testing environments.

The SLS process uses a high power laser to melt powder in layers to create durable plastic and rubber-like parts and has the capability of making metal parts. The SLS process provides the most functional rapid prototypes available. Learn more about Selective Laser Sintering materials: SLS, PA, HST, EX Black, GF and FLEX.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) fuses metal powder into a solid part by melting it locally using the focused laser beam. Parts are built up additively layer by layer, typically using layers 20 micrometers (.0008″) thick. This process allows for highly complex geometries to be created directly from the 3D CAD data, in hours and without any tooling. DMLS is a net-shaped process, producing parts with high accuracy and detail resolution, good surface quality and excellent mechanical properties.

This technology is used to manufacture direct parts for a variety of industries including aerospace, dental, medical and other industries that have highly complex parts and the tooling industry to make direct tooling inserts and the ability to ‘grow’ multiple parts at one time, DMLS is a very cost and time effective technology. The technology is used both for rapid prototyping, as it decreases development time for new products, and production manufacturing as a cost saving method to simplify assemblies and complex geometries.

DMLS has many benefits over traditional manufacturing techniques. The ability to quickly produce a unique part is the most obvious because no special tooling is required and parts can be built in a matter of hours. Additionally, DMLS allows for more rigorous testing of prototypes. Since DMLS can use most alloys, prototypes can now be functional hardware made out of the same material as production components.

DMLS is also one of the few additive manufacturing technologies being used in production. Since the components are built layer by layer, it is possible to design internal features and passages that could not be cast or otherwise machined. Complex geometries and assemblies with multiple components can be simplified to fewer parts with a more cost effective assembly. DMLS does not require special tooling like castings, so it is convenient for short production runs.

Learn more here.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

FDM creates prototypes in hours, not days or weeks that won’t warp, shrink or absorb moisture. They’re tough enough to be used as working models and withstand rigorous testing.

The FDM machine builds the prototype part by extruding a semi-molten filament through a heated nozzle from the bottom up with precisely deposited layers of modeling and support material. The FDM machine uses a production-grade thermoplastic that is durable enough to perform virtually the same as production parts. There’s no waiting for models to “cure” — they’re ready for support removal right from the printer. Models can be drilled, tapped, sanded and painted, making the FDM ideal for producing functional prototypes, molds, patterns, even customized tools and fixtures.

ZPrinter

The ZPrinter you can produce realistic color models without paint which allows you to better evaluate the look, feel, and style of product designs. ZPrinter allows you to print text labels, logos, design comments or images directly onto models using full 24-bit color, just like a 2D printer producing millions of distinct colors. 3D printing of conceptual models or master patterns have never been faster, easier or more economical.

The ZPrinter creates prototypes by solidifying layers of deposited powder using a liquid binder with full color capabilities. Learn more about ZPrinter materials: